Riverside Revitalization Relies Heavily On Sewage Treatment Plant

Ongoing revitalization efforts for Riverside will most likely remain in limbo until officials can solidify plans for a proposed sewer district—viewed by many as the linchpin needed to spur future investment and development while also promoting reconstruction efforts in the hamlet through recently adopted zoning standards.

While six new zoning options for Riverside property owners were approved in December by the Southampton Town Board, most of the new construction that Suffolk County and town officials, as well as area residents, would like to see hinges on the installation of a sewer district in downtown Riverside. Without a sewer line and an accompanying sewage treatment plant in place, the area’s antiquated septic systems are incapable of handling the anticipated waste originating from larger residential and commercial buildings.

Southampton Town Planning and Development Administrator Kyle Collins explained recently that the sewer system could be installed sooner than expected, pointing to an estimated $35 million in loans now available from Suffolk County specifically for a sewer district in both Riverside and neighboring Flanders. Vanessa Baird-Streeter, a public relations officer for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, explained that the county has already approved some $2 million in funding for planning and design purposes.

Town officials, meanwhile, are now considering two options: creating their own sewer district for Riverside, or connecting to the existing system in neighboring Riverhead Town. The latter option, if pursued, could help usher in new development at a much brisker pace, reducing the wait time by at least a year, if not more, officials said.

“In order to build out pursuant to the overlay district, we need to have a sewage treatment facility that will service it,” Mr. Collins said. “Nothing can really be done yet.”

The most expensive option would be to install a whole new system servicing Riverside from scratch. But with a price tag expected to fall in the tens of millions of dollars, it could be years before such a project gets off the ground as county officials also would have to complete multiple studies before even settling on a site for the required treatment plant.

During a recent discussion, Riverhead and Southampton officials agreed that connecting the new district with the Riverhead system could be a game-changer for Riverside, significantly reducing costs and the amount of time needed to spur revitalization efforts. The problem, according to Mr. Collins, would be making sure the Riverhead treatment facility is capable of handling the extra waste, meaning that some sort of expansion would probably be necessary first. To date, there have been no meetings between the municipalities discussing the expansion.

“Maybe, if we could get that done and the stars are all aligned, we might be able to get some development accomplished,” Mr. Collins said, referring to the possibility of the two municipalities working together. “That would be helpful if we could coordinate with Riverhead on the redevelopment of the traffic circle.”

Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter said during a recent interview that the idea of expanding his town’s sewer system to include Riverside is something he is willing to consider, noting that a booming Riverside would also benefit his municipality.

“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Mr. Walter said. “That area is ripe for economic development, and I intend to put whatever horsepower I can behind it because, as they come up, it will help us as well,” he added, referring to Riverside.

While he is excited about the potential improvements so close to Riverhead’s Main Street, Mr. Walter said it is critical for Southampton Town officials to land their first big developer that is willing to help finance part of the required infrastructure upgrades. That is needed, he continued, if Southampton officials want to find interested tenants.

The new zoning districts are just one part of the Riverside Action Plan, a revitalization tool that was adopted into the Southampton Town comprehensive plan in December and highlights key development goals to lure new businesses and residents to the area. Under the action plan, property owners are given the opportunity to choose between keeping the current zoning on their land or adopting one of six new zones: The Riverside Hamlet Center, the Riverside Hamlet Neighborhood, the Special District, the Riverside Suburban District, the Gateway District and the Waterfront District.

Other parts of the action plan call for the redevelopment of the Peconic River waterfront to include the construction of boardwalks and parks, and the creation of additional roads.

According to Sean McLean, vice president of Riverside Rediscovered and a Flanders resident, the zoning changes have the potential to change the area for the better, including adding up to 600 new, affordable residential units in the next decade.

“I am really concentrating on targeting the housing problem,” he said. “If nothing got built but the mixed-use workforce housing, then we have succeeded. If we ended up all senior or market-rate housing, then we are not doing justice to the East End of Long Island the way we have set out to.”

With the main focus currently on the sewers, Mr. Collins said the first step will be deciding which direction to go in. If a new district needs to be created, the town will need to settle on a location for the required treatment facility, noting that there are five currently under consideration.

Two of the sites sit south of Flanders Road, off of Ludlam Avenue. Another two sites are directly next to each other, also south of Flanders Road and off Riverleigh Avenue. The sites sit between Riverleigh Avenue and Old Quogue Road, south of Pine Street. The final proposed location is further west, closer to the Suffolk County Courthouse. That property is just west of Center Drive South.

Impact studies will have to be completed on all five sites before a decision can be made.

All things considered, Mr. Collins said it could still be at least another 18 to 24 months before construction on a treatment facility starts, and at least another year after that before it is functioning.

Still, the lack of sewers has not deterred all developers who are interesting in getting in on the ground floor of rebuilding Riverside. According to Mr. McLean, six large properties in the hamlet were purchased either just before or after the new zoning changes took effect. Most of those property owners, he added, have already had discussions with Riverside Rediscovered to find out the best possible uses for their new property.

One of those new property owners is Frank Fisher, a 37-year resident of Flanders and the owner of Go Green Sanitation in Southampton. He recently purchased 8.5 acres on Riverleigh Avenue that once featured a car dealership.

“We have lived here forever and this is something that is going to turn this place around,” Mr. Fisher said, referring to ongoing revitalization efforts. “I want to be a part of it.”

Right now, Mr. Fisher said he is biding his time and evaluating his options for his land while officials get the ball rolling on the sewage plant. He did offer that, at this point, he is thinking about building some sort of residential building on his property, which is within walking distance to the traffic circle. He also wants to see what other developers are proposing for neighboring properties before finalizing any plans.

“I don’t think people will be excited until they see the plans that come in—the treatment center will make all of the difference,” Mr. Fisher said. “Right now, it all means nothing without it.”